Message of the Moment
Happy Juneteenth!

This Sunday we as Americans celebrate a newly established national holiday that is in reality as old as the freedom it celebrates, the freedom from slavery for African Americans all across the country. Our Lectionary this Sunday reminds us that, though the freedom celebrated was only fully realized in 1865, God’s Kingdom values have always been unitive and freeing. St. Paul tells us in his letter to the Galatians that “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female,” for we are all one in Christ Jesus. For this, we celebrate freedom!

However, Isaiah reminds us that we are wont to corrupt this oneness with our own boundaries. The prophet tells us that God is displeased when we say, “Keep to yourself, do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.” We know, too, that our history shows us our own complicity in oppression, and so this day involves confession, too. We confess, we repent, and we change—this is the basic shape of the Christian life itself!

So, on this Juneteenth, I pray that you would do just that—confess, repent, change, and celebrate, because just as we see Jesus free the Gerasene demoniac from his demons in our Gospel this weekend, so too we are freed from every evil that threatens God’s love and freedom for all of us, and that is absolutely something worthy of celebration!

Blessings!

-Father Dillon+


First Things First

VBS starts this week!


Materials still needed:
We are making care packages and need the following items (quantity: 30 of each):

Travel-sized soap, shampoos, toothpaste, toothbrush
Individually wrapped fruit snacks, granola bars, trail mix, crackers

Please bring items to the front entry by Tuesday, June 21.
THANK YOU!

Water for Breakthrough ESS: It's really hot on the streets of Wichita. Bottles of water are URGENTLY needed for the people who come to Breakthrough/ESS. Please drop water off in the church entry. They'll be taken to ESS every Wednesday Morning.

Wichita Minster Summer Picnic & Ice Cream Social: June 26 - 12:00-3:00 pm at St. Stephen’s. This event is to raise money for Breakthrough ESS. There will be food, games, music, and a raffle. Fun for all ages! Click here to Volunteer. Click here to donate a basket.

Volunteer at the Front Desk
If you are a member of our congregation and would be willing to contribute your time to the parish as a front desk volunteer this summer, you are invited and needed.
Please contact Mother Dawn for information and about times for volunteering. 

It is our pleasure to have Dakota Bennett as our organist this summer. Volunteer musicians will also be included in services this summer. If you are interested in playing, please contact the church office. Those interested in the position(s) of leading music at St. James beginning the first of September are encouraged to request a job description and submit their resume. 

The Readings this Week
Calendar


Parish News and Updates

The gardening crew will meet this Saturday at 8 am to clean up the gardens. Please join us!

This weekend is Juneteenth. The Church Office is closed Monday. Click here for more information about Juneteenth.

Adult Forum meets every Sunday this Summer. Join us at 9:45 in the Guild Hall as we discuss the weekly readings in our series "Going off the Lectionary Grid."

The next American Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Sunday, June 19th at St. James. You may sign yourself up for an appointment at www.redcrossblood.org, search for St. James Wichita, login or create an account and then sign up. Or text/call/email Dottie Evans at 785.341.4532 dottieevans6@gmail.com. Thank you for helping us save lives.

Water for Breakthrough ESS: It's really hot on the streets of Wichita. Bottles of water are URGENTLY needed for the people who come to Breakthrough/ESS. Please drop water off in the church entry. They'll be taken to ESS every Wednesday Morning.

Volunteer at the Front Desk
If you are a member of our congregation and would be willing to contribute your time to the parish as a front desk volunteer this summer, you are invited and needed.
Please contact Mother Dawn for information and about times for volunteering. 

It is our pleasure to have Dakota Bennett as our organist this summer. Volunteer musicians will also be included in services this summer. If you are interested in playing, please contact the church office. Those interested in the position(s) of leading music at St. James beginning the first of September are encouraged to request a job description and submit their resume. 


 Children and Youth

Next Sunday school and Children's Chapel is Sunday, July 3rd starting at 9:30 am.

Our Nursery is open! Gracie Moore is our new Nursery Care staff for the summer. She will be in the Nursery on Sunday mornings for our services and Adult Forum until August. We are still in need of volunteers, please contact Chelsea if you are interested.
 
Thank you for donating Kleenex boxes, we do not need anymore!
 
Paxton Blessing Box! You can drop off food at anytime, please leave items on the stairs next to the Church office Please donate non-perishable goods and hygiene products. Read more


Outreach

Suitcase Drive – Our Suitcase Drive was a great success! Thank you St. James for bringing us. more than 50 suitcases (and counting) in excellent condition. We are delivering them to foster children served by several agencies. No doubt the suitcases will ease the children's minds in a time of crisis and confusion.
 
Wichita Minster News
Welcome Home Baskets for the rehoused


Father Dillon is offering Morning Prayer by Zoom at 9:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Morning Prayer Zoom Link.

YAW (Young Adults Wichita) is a ministry of the Wichita Minster led by Father Dillon. It includes members from St. James, St. John’s, Good Shepherd, and St. Stephen’s. We meet weekly, currently Mondays at 6 p.m. (time/dates subject to change). If you know anyone interested in participating, please connect them with Dillon at 256-762-5110 or at dillongreen7@gmail.com. If you aren’t a young adult (18-35) and want to be involved, we are always looking for people to provide meals for the group each week. Instructions are to prepare for six to 10 people. If you’re interested in helping out that way, please contact Dillon.

See more information about the Wichita Minster on our website.
Prayers
Parish Prayers for the Week of June 17
For our seminarian: Maddy Bishop;

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan


In the Kansas Cycle of Prayer: Pray for St. John's, Wichita

Pray for those serving in the military: Will Corkins, J. David Anderson-Lusk and Maureen Tanner;

Pray for those who have died: John Luerding, Keith Johnson, Betty Bonnell, Lou Ann McFerson, Thelma Shannon.

Pray for those who are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity: Tom T., Jayne Pierce, Barbara H., Dana F., Suzy R., Taci F., Sue R., Ashley M., Phil S., Isabella, Cathy W., Helen B., Marcia & Lowell, Bill & Carolyn, Dave W., Carole, Kitty, Laura S., Bob & Sue, Marge R., Pam M., Dal, Gus, Joan J., Martha L., Betty S., Sage J., Joseph B., Sam & Beth, Jerry M., Joy J.


Our Parish Prayer List: All members of our parish community are asked to pray for each person on our prayer list. To share your prayers of thanksgiving (births, weddings, new jobs, anniversaries, etc.), to notify us that someone you love is serving in the military, to share that you or someone you love is suffering, or to tell us of a death, please call 316-683-5686 or email office@stjameswichita.org.

 
If your prayers have been answered,
we would love to rejoice with you.
 Please let us know so your name may be removed
 from our list of people most urgently in need. Thank you.

Helpful Links